Endoscope handle with adjustable knob offset

Abstract

An endoscope system including a first reusable hand-piece and a second reusable hand-piece. The first reusable hand-piece is a different size than the second reusable hand-piece. The first reusable hand-piece and the second reusable hand-piece are selectively attachable and detachable to the same or a different single-use shaft assembly. Varying sizes of reusable hand-piece assemblies provide for improved user ergonomics. Ergonomic variations may include different size reusable hand-piece assemblies, different size articulation control knobs, and/or different distances between the centerline of the housing of the reusable hand-piece and the knobs and/or between the backstrap of the reusable hand-piece and the knobs, customizable to user preference.

1 . A system, comprising:
 a first reusable endoscope hand-piece;   a second reusable endoscope hand-piece, wherein the first reusable endoscope hand-piece is a different size and/or has at least one different feature than the second reusable endoscope hand-piece; and   wherein both the first reusable endoscope hand-piece and the second reusable endoscope hand-piece are alternatively and selectively attachable and detachable to a single-use endoscope shaft assembly and configured to articulate a patient-insertable portion of the single-use endoscope shaft assembly when it is inserted within a body of a patient.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first reusable endoscope hand-piece and the second reusable endoscope hand-piece each include a housing and an articulation assembly, and wherein the articulation assembly includes a first articulation control for articulating the patient-insertable portion of the single-use endoscope shaft assembly along a first direction. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein a distance between a backstrap and an axis of rotation of the first articulation control of the first reusable endoscope hand-piece is greater than a distance between a backstrap and an axis of rotation of the first articulation control of the second reusable hand-piece. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein a distance between a centerline of the first articulation control and a centerline of the handle portion of the first reusable endoscope hand-piece is greater than a distance between the centerline of the first articulation control and a centerline of the handle portion of the second reusable hand-piece. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a second articulation control for articulating the patient-insertable portion of the single-use endoscope shaft assembly along a second direction that is transverse to the first direction. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first articulation control is a first articulation control knob and the second articulation control is a second articulation control knob; and
 wherein the first articulation control knob and the second articulation control knob are selectively attachable and detachable to the first reusable endoscope hand-piece.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a substitute first articulation control knob alternatively and selectively attachable and detachable to the first reusable endoscope hand-piece instead of said first articulation control knob; and   wherein the substitute first articulation control knob has more outwardly-extending lobes than said first articulation control knob.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a substitute second articulation control knob alternatively and selectively attachable and detachable to the first reusable endoscope hand-piece instead of said second articulation control knob; and   wherein the substitute second articulation control knob has more outwardly-extending lobes than said second articulation control knob.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first reusable endoscope hand-piece is a different size than the second reusable endoscope hand-piece; and
 wherein the difference in size is a difference in cross-sectional area of a portion arranged to contact a user's palm during operation of the reusable endoscope hand-piece.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first reusable endoscope hand-piece is a different size than the second reusable endoscope hand-piece; and
 wherein the difference in size is a difference in height.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first reusable endoscope hand-piece is a different size than the second reusable endoscope hand-piece; and
 wherein the difference in size is a difference in total volume.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first reusable endoscope hand-piece and the second reusable endoscope hand-piece each include an electronic integrated circuit storing settings for control and/or imaging functions of an assembled reusable endoscope hand-piece and single-use endoscope shaft assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein settings stored in the electronic integrated circuit of the first reusable endoscope hand-piece are different from those in the second reusable endoscope hand-piece. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein both the first reusable endoscope hand-piece and the second reusable endoscope hand-piece are alternatively and selectively attachable and detachable to a second single-use endoscope shaft assembly; and
 wherein the single-use endoscope shaft assembly is different in size and/or has at least one different feature than the second single-use endoscope shaft assembly.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the second single-use endoscope shaft assembly is longer than the single-use endoscope shaft assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the second single-use endoscope shaft assembly has a greater insertion tube diameter than the single-use endoscope shaft assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is a line of products. 
     
     
         18 . A system, comprising:
 a reusable endoscope hand-piece and a single-use endoscope shaft assembly;   the reusable endoscope hand-piece selectively attachable to and detachable from the single-use endoscope shaft assembly;   the reusable endoscope hand-piece including a housing and an articulation and brake assembly, wherein the articulation and brake assembly includes a first articulation control, a second articulation control, and an articulation brake for selectively locking rotation of said second articulation control relative to the housing of said reusable endoscope hand-piece; and   a substitute first articulation control configured to substitute said first articulation control of said articulation and brake assembly;   wherein the substitute first articulation control is longer than the first articulation control; and   wherein when the substitute first articulation control is attached to the reusable endoscope hand-piece a distance between a centerline of the reusable endoscope hand-piece and a centerline of the substitute first articulation control is greater than a distance between a centerline of the reusable endoscope hand-piece and a centerline of the first articulation control when the first articulation control is attached to the reusable endoscope hand-piece.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the first articulation control supports a first articulation control knob. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the first articulation control knob is selectively attachable to either the first articulation control or the substitute first articulation control.